But the immediate future is not so rosy. African HIV prevention work has only just properly got off the ground. At a time when more Africans are testing positive, and the dispersal policy for immigrants means that more are presenting outside London, it is not the time to cut services.
In London we're encouraging the establishment

page 5 of 8

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

home

contents of issue 79
back issues
the gazette
recipes
small ads
contacting us
weblinks

of 'clinical networks' that will make sure people get services within that network - probably along the same boundaries as the new strategic health authorities. Outside that network, people might have difficulties. [This means you may still be able to go to an HIV clinic in the next PCT, but may have problems if you cross the river - ed.]
Outside London the position is even less clear. We're already getting evidence of clinics refusing to treat pregnant positive asylum seekers without charging.
Many African organisations, including ourselves, are having to reposition themselves fast - revisiting their constitutions to make sure that we can access new funding sources, that we aren't restricted to helping particular nationalities or catchment areas. HIV organisations that refuse to get into wider health forums and refuse to work with broader black and ethnic minority groups, will disappear.
I hope these changes will work in the interests of all of us. I don't want to contemplate the nightmare scenario - which will be a dramatic increase in infections.